Should I attend my graduate welcome day?

The head office is around a 4-hour train journey with multiple stops to the head office, which is putting me off. Unfortunately, staying overnight in that city isn't possible because of costs. I know it's advised to attend but they're understanding if we cannot make it.

Just wanted some advice on what to do as I'm sure it'll be an informative session.

I would - have you looked at B&Bs or Premier Inn? I would have thought attending gives a good first impression.

If you can't stay in the city itself then a stay-over in the town/city before the final leg of the journey might be affordable

Doesn't your employer pay expenses for attending company events?

True but there's also train strikes going on and I had a look this morning if train journeys were running as normal and there was some delays. I cant look to stay overnight as I have my graduation the day before

Sorry how does that stop you travelling after your graduation? You could stay after the graduation event to make it less frenetic.

Just to clarify, is this for a graduate scheme or something similar?

Are you based in the head-office, or do you work from another office?

Yes a grad scheme. We've had online meetings with the rest of the grad cohort in which they answer any of our qs etc. I will be working up North in another office. However, the welcome day is being hosted in the head office.

My grad ceremony starts at 5:30pm in evening and ends around 7:30pm, and I have to be there for the welcome day at 9am. I can't stay after the grad ceremony as it will be too late to travel down south. If I travel on the day, I will need to travel to another town for the 5am train